Virginia, "Ginger", was the youngest of eight children for Berton Vorce and Vena Bertha (Clarke) Cole. The family was living in Williams, AZ at the time of her birth. Ginger was only two years old when her mother died of influenza. Ginger, sister Helen, and brother Harry went to live with their aunt and uncle, Jessie and Harry Risteen, in Fresno, California. Her other siblings stayed in Williams, Arizona with their father. Both Berton and Harry Risteen worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, so the separated family was able to make several trips each year to see each other, probably on free railway passes. The siblings stayed close though they lived apart.
The children adapted to life in Fresno. They attended the Morris Dailey School. When Helen got a little bit older she was able to go back to Williams, but Ginger and Harry stayed with the Risteens. Harry and Ginger participated in school singing competitions. Both of their parents had beautiful singing voices, and most of the children also sang. They stayed with the Risteens until both had passed away by 1933. At that point, Ginger was taken in by a wealthy family that owned a newspaper, and she had a very rich upbringing with them in San Pedro, California. She enjoyed competitive swimming in high school, where she excelled and won many medals.
Ginger married Howard G. Welker and had three children: Steven Ward; Jeffery Gray; Jill Lee. The family lived in San Pedro, California. Husband Howard was a member of the local fire department and worked the fire boats.
The children adapted to life in Fresno. They attended the Morris Dailey School. When Helen got a little bit older she was able to go back to Williams, but Ginger and Harry stayed with the Risteens. Harry and Ginger participated in school singing competitions. Both of their parents had beautiful singing voices, and most of the children also sang. They stayed with the Risteens until both had passed away by 1933. At that point, Ginger was taken in by a wealthy family that owned a newspaper, and she had a very rich upbringing with them in San Pedro, California. She enjoyed competitive swimming in high school, where she excelled and won many medals.
Ginger married Howard G. Welker and had three children: Steven Ward; Jeffery Gray; Jill Lee. The family lived in San Pedro, California. Husband Howard was a member of the local fire department and worked the fire boats.
Virginia, "Ginger", was the youngest of eight children for Berton Vorce and Vena Bertha (Clarke) Cole. The family was living in Williams, AZ at the time of her birth. Ginger was only two years old when her mother died of influenza. Ginger, sister Helen, and brother Harry went to live with their aunt and uncle, Jessie and Harry Risteen, in Fresno, California. Her other siblings stayed in Williams, Arizona with their father. Both Berton and Harry Risteen worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, so the separated family was able to make several trips each year to see each other, probably on free railway passes. The siblings stayed close though they lived apart.
The children adapted to life in Fresno. They attended the Morris Dailey School. When Helen got a little bit older she was able to go back to Williams, but Ginger and Harry stayed with the Risteens. Harry and Ginger participated in school singing competitions. Both of their parents had beautiful singing voices, and most of the children also sang. They stayed with the Risteens until both had passed away by 1933. At that point, Ginger was taken in by a wealthy family that owned a newspaper, and she had a very rich upbringing with them in San Pedro, California. She enjoyed competitive swimming in high school, where she excelled and won many medals.
Ginger married Howard G. Welker and had three children: Steven Ward; Jeffery Gray; Jill Lee. The family lived in San Pedro, California. Husband Howard was a member of the local fire department and worked the fire boats.
The children adapted to life in Fresno. They attended the Morris Dailey School. When Helen got a little bit older she was able to go back to Williams, but Ginger and Harry stayed with the Risteens. Harry and Ginger participated in school singing competitions. Both of their parents had beautiful singing voices, and most of the children also sang. They stayed with the Risteens until both had passed away by 1933. At that point, Ginger was taken in by a wealthy family that owned a newspaper, and she had a very rich upbringing with them in San Pedro, California. She enjoyed competitive swimming in high school, where she excelled and won many medals.
Ginger married Howard G. Welker and had three children: Steven Ward; Jeffery Gray; Jill Lee. The family lived in San Pedro, California. Husband Howard was a member of the local fire department and worked the fire boats.
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